Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve: Private non-profit reserve, run by the Tropical Scientific Center. You can find 6 distinct ecological zones in this reserve. Because of its altitude, it is called a cloud forest rather than a rain forest, you will see the clouds going through the forest. The canopy is extremely rich with birds, insects, butterflies and plants,“great bird watching”, the Resplendent Quetzal is usually seen. Wear warm clothing.
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve: Private non-profit reserve, administrated by the Santa Elena High School. It is dedicated to nature conservation, ecotourism and all profits go to the improvement of regional education. It offers beautiful views of the arenal volcano on clear days. It has similar habitat and wildlife to the Monteverde Reserve, but is a little cloudier and wetter because of higher elevation.
Finca Ecológica:
This is a private farm located in the pre-mountain forest. Here you will see secondary forest, waterfalls, lookout points, coffee and banana plantations. It receives less rain and is less cloudy than the Monteverde Reserve, therefore vegetation is less dense and it is easier to see mammals like coatis, agoutis and sloths. This is also a good place to see the “three wattled bell bird”. Here you can take the “twilight walk” during the night, where you will be able to see surprising nocturnal animal life not seen during the day time.
The Frog Pond of Monteverde:
An herpentarium located at only one hundred meters from Poco a Poco in wich you can admire over 20 species of frogs and other amphibians. Now also offering a butterflies garden, with species from the Monteverde area.
Canopy Tours: The Monteverde Canopy Tour is located approximately 3.75 miles away from the center of Monteverde in an area known as San Gerardo, the tour neighbors the Biological Reserve of Santa Elena. The tour consists on a trip through 14 zip lines and 15 platforms interconnected that cross through the virgin cloud forest´s canopy.
Suspension Bridges Tour: This tour consists of 8 bridges located across a 2 mile trail. The altitude of the bridges oscillates between 60 and 240 feet above ground level. Physical condition is not an obstacle if the visitor wants to take the tour as the trail could be considered easy to walk and the experience is worthwhile.
Butterfly Project of Monteverde: This farm has a nature center, 4 gardens, a 500 square meter netted flyway, 3 greenhouses, a gift shop and botanical gardens. Founded in 1991 by biologist Jim Wolfe and his wife Marta Iris Salazar. The focus of the project is environmental education. Great place to visit.
Horseback Riding Tours:
This is a very nice tour in Monteverde. With a local spanish speaking guide you will be able to see views of the Gulf of Nicoya, waterfalls and the Valley of San Luis.
Serpentarium:
Exhibits costarican snakes!
Hummingbird Gallery:
Located next to the entrance of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Very worthwhile. Gifts, photos. Great photo opportunities outside the gallery, where feeders attract a wide variety of hummingbirds in overwhelming numbers.
Monteverde Cheese Factory:
Located on the way to the Monteverde Reserve, the cheese making process can be witnessed through the observation window at the sales room. Good place to buy ice cream and cheese.
Orchid Garden:
In this garden you can admire more than 400 species of orchids, including the national flower of Costa Rica. Among others you will be able to see maxillaria, epidendrum and oncidium species. If you go, don´t forget to visit their green house, they have plenty of interesting things to show you.
Monteverde Ceramics Center:
This center was designed as an educational, recreational and social place in September of 1995, where people of different ages and cultures can come together and share interest in pottery, sculpture and clay work of all kind.
CASEM:
Stands for “Comite de Artesanas de Santa Elena y Monteverde”. At the women´s artist coop in Monteverde you can find handcrafted souvenirs such as stationery, jewelry and t-shirts decorated with the Famous Quetzal.
Art Galleries:
Art, wisely, decided that this would be its home in Monteverde. Surrounded by so much greenery, colour excels here. Emotions, sensations, energy and life are pregnant with beauty in the different materials used whether wood, paper, silk or others.
Private non-profit reserve, run by the Tropical Scientific Center. You can find 6 distinct ecological zones in this reserve. Because of its altitude, it is called a cloud forest rather than a rain forest, you will see the clouds going through the forest. The canopy is extremely rich with birds, insects, butterflies and plants,“great bird watching”, the Resplendent Quetzal is usually seen. Wear warm clothing.
Private non-profit reserve, administrated by the Santa Elena High School. It is dedicated to nature conservation, ecotourism and all profits go to the improvement of regional education. It offers beautiful views of the arenal volcano on clear days. It has similar habitat and wildlife to the Monteverde Reserve, but is a little cloudier and wetter because of higher elevation.
This is a private farm located in the pre-mountain forest. Here you will see secondary forest, waterfalls, lookout points, coffee and banana plantations. It receives less rain and is less cloudy than the Monteverde Reserve, therefore vegetation is less dense and it is easier to see mammals like coatis, agoutis and sloths. This is also a good place to see the “three wattled bell bird”. Here you can take the “twilight walk” during the night, where you will be able to see surprising nocturnal animal life not seen during the day time.
An herpentarium located at only one hundred meters from Poco a Poco in wich you can admire over 20 species of frogs and other amphibians. Now also offering a butterflies garden, with species from the Monteverde area.
The Monteverde Canopy Tour is located approximately 3.75 miles away from the center of Monteverde in an area known as San Gerardo, the tour neighbors the Biological Reserve of Santa Elena. The tour consists on a trip through 14 zip lines and 15 platforms interconnected that cross through the virgin cloud forest´s canopy.
This tour consists of 8 bridges located across a 2 mile trail. The altitude of the bridges oscillates between 60 and 240 feet above ground level. Physical condition is not an obstacle if the visitor wants to take the tour as the trail could be considered easy to walk and the experience is worthwhile.
This farm has a nature center, 4 gardens, a 500 square meter netted flyway, 3 greenhouses, a gift shop and botanical gardens. Founded in 1991 by biologist Jim Wolfe and his wife Marta Iris Salazar. The focus of the project is environmental education. Great place to visit.
This is a very nice tour in Monteverde. With a local spanish speaking guide you will be able to see views of the Gulf of Nicoya, waterfalls and the Valley of San Luis.
Exhibits costarican snakes!
Located next to the entrance of the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Very worthwhile. Gifts, photos. Great photo opportunities outside the gallery, where feeders attract a wide variety of hummingbirds in overwhelming numbers.
Located on the way to the Monteverde Reserve, the cheese making process can be witnessed through the observation window at the sales room. Good place to buy ice cream and cheese.
In this garden you can admire more than 400 species of orchids, including the national flower of Costa Rica. Among others you will be able to see maxillaria, epidendrum and oncidium species. If you go, don´t forget to visit their green house, they have plenty of interesting things to show you.
This center was designed as an educational, recreational and social place in September of 1995, where people of different ages and cultures can come together and share interest in pottery, sculpture and clay work of all kind.
Stands for “Comite de Artesanas de Santa Elena y Monteverde”. At the women´s artist coop in Monteverde you can find handcrafted souvenirs such as stationery, jewelry and t-shirts decorated with the Famous Quetzal.
Art, wisely, decided that this would be its home in Monteverde. Surrounded by so much greenery, colour excels here. Emotions, sensations, energy and life are pregnant with beauty in the different materials used whether wood, paper, silk or others.